School Support Assistant

Role overview

The School Support Assistant supports school operations in Ramstein, Germany by managing supply processes, maintaining property records, and helping ensure safety and security compliance. The role is part of the Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) and reflects duties at the full-performance GS-06 level, with developmental assignment possible at a lower grade if the selectee is not placed at the target level.

Key duties

• Keep all supply activity logged in an automated system and maintain both electronic and paper files so the audit trail stays complete and organized.
• Use supply and logistics systems to handle routine requisitions, stock control, storage, recordkeeping, and issue procedures.
• Prepare, edit, and route school support requests to the Area Director’s office for purchasing supplies and equipment.
• Review and adjust authorized stock levels for items available through the supply system for school stockage.
• Act as property custodian by keeping continuous inventory records for nonexpendable property and durable items.
• Check goods when received, record serial numbers, and barcode items as required.
• Help oversee school safety and security initiatives to ensure they meet DoWEA and installation standards.
• Support Area and District staff during physical security inspections and help confirm that protective measures are in place and followed.

Conditions of employment

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Requirement.
• U.S. citizenship is mandatory.
• Direct deposit enrollment is required.
• A one-year trial or probationary period may apply.
• Selection depends on a suitability and fitness determination based on a background investigation.
• This job requires a Tier 1 investigation with childcare checks because it involves contact with children and youth under 18.
• Applicants must meet the requirements of DoD Instruction 1400.25 V1230 regarding employment in foreign areas and employee return rights.
• CONUS hires and their U.S.-citizen family members must obtain official passports before traveling overseas.
• The work is partly desk-based but also includes walking, bending, standing, carrying or lifting up to 40 pounds, lifting boxes above shoulder height, and loading/unloading vehicles.

Who may apply

Only candidates who meet one of the listed employment authority categories may apply. Eligible groups include current competitive service DoWEA employees within the commuting area, current Department of War civilian employees, domestic defense industrial base and major range/test facilities base civilian personnel, overseas family member appointments, family member preference candidates, ICTAP candidates, LMF, military spouse preference candidates, non-Department of War transfers, several Priority Placement Program categories, and VEOA eligible veterans.

Qualifications

Applicants must satisfy the education and/or experience standards for the grade they seek. Qualifying experience can include paid work, unpaid work, volunteer service, or service through national service organizations. A resume must clearly show the relevant background, and transcripts are required if qualification is based on education.

GS-05: One year of specialized experience involving supply tracking, ordering, or inventory control; use of office software or automated material management systems; and identifying equipment that needs repair. This is comparable to work at the GS-04 level.

GS-05 education alternative: Four years of study beyond high school at an accredited business, secretarial, technical school, junior college, college, or university.

GS-05 combination: A mix of education and experience may qualify if it totals 100% of the requirement, calculated using experience months and semester hours beyond two years of education.

GS-06: One year of specialized experience involving inventory monitoring to keep the organization prepared, compiling financial data for budget planning, and coordinating equipment repair or maintenance. This is comparable to work at the GS-05 level.

GS-06 education note: For this grade, qualification must be met through experience alone; education may not be substituted.

Time in grade for GS-06: Applicants who have held a GS position in the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of federal service at GS-05 or equivalent.

Time in grade for GS-05: Applicants who have held a GS position in the last 52 weeks cannot have been promoted more than two grades within the prior 52 weeks.

Additional information

• DoDEA is in the process of transitioning to DoWEA.
• Hiring is subject to Department of War referral restrictions for displaced employees.
• Pay includes locality pay or a Local Market Supplement where applicable.
• More than one position may be filled from this announcement.
• Management may appoint at any grade level advertised. If the selectee is below the full-performance level, duties will be performed in a developmental capacity under close supervision until promotion eligibility is reached.
• Applicants must meet Exceptional Family Member Program requirements as stated in the announcement.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens and not considered ordinarily resident under the applicable Status of Forces Agreement; ordinary-resident rules depend on the host nation.
• Pay retention may be available for selectees in overseas positions, but not as an incentive for transfers between overseas jobs.
• Status candidates under the 5-year overseas rotation rule must have enough time left to complete the initial tour; waivers are not available to satisfy this requirement.
• Status applicants in their fourth year of an overseas assignment cannot be selected unless a waiver of the 5-year limitation is approved.
• Applicants recruited outside the U.S. will have foreign area benefit eligibility determined at hire.
• Host-nation laws or international agreements may affect benefits for a same-sex domestic partner or spouse; applicants should review these rules before applying or accepting the job.
• The initial overseas tour lasts 36 months.
• This position is excluded from bargaining unit coverage.
• Information for reemployed annuitants is referenced in the announcement.
• Priority Placement Program preference may be claimed.
• DoW Priority Placement Program applicants receive preference only at the full-performance grade level.
• Candidates should be dedicated to improving federal government efficiency and committed to the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
• Applicants with family members who have special medical needs should confirm that those needs can be met overseas before accepting the role.
• Access to military treatment facilities for civilian employees and family members may be unavailable except on a space-available basis, so host-nation facilities may be the only option.
• Civilian employees and family members are responsible for the cost of medical and dental care overseas unless access is available through military facilities on a space-available and reimbursable basis.
• Medical and dental care may also be provided by host-nation providers, and the level of care can vary by location.

Education

If foreign education is used to meet the qualification requirements, the credential must be evaluated by a private organization specializing in foreign education equivalency, or it must receive full credit from an accredited U.S. college or university.

Work environment

The role is onsite in Ramstein, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is a hands-on position that combines administrative supply work with physical tasks and security-related support.

Employment details

This is a full-time position with an initial overseas tour of 36 months. The salary amount is not specified in the source, but compensation may include locality pay or a Local Market Supplement where applicable.

Review notes

The announcement states that candidates may be considered under multiple grade levels and that selection at a lower grade will be developmental until the full-performance level is reached. It also notes that this vacancy may be filled multiple times.